Music

Music Notes: There aren't Many Names like Sleepwreck

Folk/roots performer Mariel Buckley is set to perform at the Black Cat Tavern on March 8, 2019 in Saskatoon. (Photo from Facebook) ORG XMIT: 69Hmf85VFho1u7UT6C9YPhoto: Photo from Facebook

Matt Olson

Published: March 6, 2019 - 7:23 PM

I have always prided myself on being able to handle the cold. I could put on a light jacket and deal with the winter weather without much fuss. But can we all agree that the unrelenting cold that has been hanging over our city and province for the past month has just been depressing? There is something to be said for hot vacations, if you can get away. I am genuinely thankful to have music and shows to look forward to just so I can take my mind of the sub-zero winter wonderland that exists outside every door and window. It’s time for spring, already.

Mariel Buckley and her Band

When: Friday, March 8

Where: Black Cat Tavern

What: We talk about a lot of great Saskatchewan music here, but Calgary folk deserves a little love too. Mariel Buckley has a magnificently smooth singing voice that’s a lovely departure from the regular rough-edged sound of a lot of folk singers today. Her music is laid back and heartfelt, with some of her newer tunes having a little bit of a country-tuned tinge to them. There is no such thing as too much folk music as long as it’s quality stuff, and Mariel Buckley’s music belongs in the top-quality category.

Sleepwreck

When: Friday, March 8

Where: Capitol Music Club

What: There are genres of music out there that are hard to define, so is it all right if Sleepwreck just gets referred to as “cool” for now? Self-described as “organic electronica,” Sleepwreck — or Jesse Davis Selkirk — produces a brand of hard-pounding electronic music verging accompanied by layered vocals that is just, well, cool. To put it simply, if you were running a dance party at a club, this is the guy at the top of your list to be running the music. It’s intense without being dreary, powerful without being devoid of melody. Sleepwreck is a ton of fun to listen to.

Chris Wallace and Many Names

When: Saturday, March 9

Where: The Bassment

What: It seems so often in the jazz world that the composers are pianists, or trumpet players, or saxophone players. Let’s not forget jazz drumming is its own breed of musical talent, and Chris Wallace is one heck of a drummer and composer. Originally from Regina and now based in Toronto, Wallace has made a name for himself in Scotland (which apparently has a heck of a jazz scene) and is nominated for a JUNO Award this year. How often do you get to see a JUNO-nominated jazz player in Saskatoon? The answer is not often, so don’t miss this opportunity.

Special note: Ness Creek Auditions 2019

When: March 9-10

Where: Capitol Music Club

What: It’s not a concert per se, but there are going to be about 20 local groups performing 30-minute sets pretty much all day and night on Saturday and Sunday this week to try to earn a spot at the Ness Creek Music Festival later this year. From groups previously mentioned in this space like Dirty & the Perks and Oscar’s Hollow to others not yet talked about like Von Jumbo and Aurora Wolfe, the audition days are two solid days of Saskatchewan sound.